Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Minister Hidehiko HAMADA at the 44th Session of Working Group A of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO
2013/10/17
Thank you Mr Chairman,
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to thank Ambassador Gunaajav Batjargal, Permanent Representative of Mongolia for chairing the Forty-Fourth Session of Working Group A and also would like to reiterate our congratulations to Dr. Lassina Zerbo on his appointment as Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). My delegation confirms Japan’s intention to further strengthen the cooperation with the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) under Dr. Zerbo’s leadership. Let me take this opportunity to thank Ms. Frances Boyle for her dedicated work as the Director of the Administration Division since 2011.
[Strengthening and Upgrading IMS]
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation notes, with satisfaction, that in February this year 96 stations of the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the CTBTO were able to detect unusual seismic waveforms with characteristics different from those of natural earthquakes following the event in North Korea. In addition, the Infrasound stations IS30 (Isumi, Japan) and IS45 (Ussuriysk, Russian Federation) detected, for the first time, signals which could be attributed to the event in North Korea, thanks to the initiation of the International Data Centre (IDC) routine analysis of infrasound data in its daily products in 2010.
In April 2013, two kinds of radioactive noble gases that could be attributed to the nuclear test announced by North Korea in February were detected at Takasaki Station (JPX38). It made possible to estimate with high probability that the isotope ratio of the Xenon indicated that it was produced some fifty days ago and ATM backtracking calculation using high accuracy meteorological data indicated that the test site in North Korea may be the source of the emission.
This shows once again that the IMS is playing an extremely important and effective role as a global verification system. Japan highly commends the PTS for its efforts to improve its capability to detect nuclear tests despite severe budget constraints.
Mr. Chairman,
Japan welcomes that an agreement was reached between the CTBTO and China, during Dr. Zerbo’s visit to China in August this year, to send real time data from the IMS stations in China to the CTBTO's International Data Centre in Vienna. Japan hopes that real time transmission of data will become the norm.
[Advisory Group (AG) report and recommendations]
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation would like to thank the Chair of the Advisory Group (AG), Sir Michael Weston, for his dedicated work at the Forty-First Session of the Advisory Group. Japan supports the AG recommendations of itsForty-First Session as a whole.
[2014 Draft Programme and Budget (P&B)]
Mr. Chairman,
At this juncture, I would like to reiterate our intention of my delegation to actively participate in constructive discussions on the 2014 Draft Programme and Budget Proposals submitted by the PTS. In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to both Executive Secretary Dr. Zerbo for his active role in formulating the budget proposals and to the PTS for its efforts. Japan welcomes the fact that the Draft Programme and Budget Proposals were based on clear prioritisation and notes that the budget slightly exceeds Zero Real Growth (ZRG).
Japan commends the PTS for its efforts and achievements in approximately four-times increase in the number of IMS facilities while basically adhering to a zero real growth budget in the last decade. Japan also welcomes the fact that approximately 87% of the IMS stations have been installed and that approximately 82% of facilities have been certified. Furthermore, Japan also welcomes the efforts by the PTS to reduce the overall budget level by reducing travel and conference costs, while recognising that fixed costs are increasing due to rising costs related to Post Certification Activities (PCA). On the other hand, it is also a reality that many State Signatories are facing serious financial situations. Therefore, Japan expects that the PTS will make further efforts to maintain and build up the verification system while making savings and reducing expenses through measures aimed at further efficiency.
The Storage Area Network (SAN) included in the 2014 Draft Programme and Budget Proposals is indispensable for the activities of CTBTO, and outdated equipment needs to be replaced. Japan requests that the PTS conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the two options of leasing or purchasing the equipment. Japan has contributed to financing a portion of the overall costs for the SAN upgrade and hopes that the relocating of resources to cover the remaining costs for the SAN upgrade does not have any effect on the installation and certification of the IMS stations.
With regard to the implementation of the IPSAS-compliant ERP system, we welcome the fact that the PTS project team has made progress on the implementation of the project. My delegation expects that more detailed information regarding the maintenance costs of the IPSAS-compliant ERP system will be provided and further discussion will be held.
[Promoting CTBT entry into force]
Mr. Chairman,
Last month, the Eighth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT was convened successfully in New York. We note also that the Group of Eminent Persons (GEM) was established on the initiative of Executive Secretary Dr. Zerbo. Japan welcomes these endeavours as another political momentum aimed towards the early entry into force of the Treaty.
The prohibition of nuclear tests is an emerging de facto international norm. At this conference, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, proposed three actions to be taken to further strengthen this norm and ensure the comprehensive ban on nuclear tests:1) taking united and determined actions as one united international community to condemn nuclear tests if and when they are conducted; 2) moving quickly forward with the construction and certification of the IMS stations to complete the International Monitoring System; and 3) enhancing political actions by each State to promote prompt ratifications by Annex II countries. In this connection, Japan will continue to cooperate closely with the State Signatories and the PTS of the CTBTO.
The "Friends of the CTBT" (namely Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands) and Article XIV Conference Co-Chairs (currently Hungary and Indonesia) plan to hold another CTBT Friends’ Ministerial Meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly in 2014. Japan is determined to make its utmost efforts to further contribute to that process.
Let me conclude my remarks by expressing our hope that the Working Group A session will be convened successfully, and that I look forward to engaging in constructive discussions to make tangible progress on the various issues we are facing.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to thank Ambassador Gunaajav Batjargal, Permanent Representative of Mongolia for chairing the Forty-Fourth Session of Working Group A and also would like to reiterate our congratulations to Dr. Lassina Zerbo on his appointment as Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). My delegation confirms Japan’s intention to further strengthen the cooperation with the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) under Dr. Zerbo’s leadership. Let me take this opportunity to thank Ms. Frances Boyle for her dedicated work as the Director of the Administration Division since 2011.
[Strengthening and Upgrading IMS]
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation notes, with satisfaction, that in February this year 96 stations of the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the CTBTO were able to detect unusual seismic waveforms with characteristics different from those of natural earthquakes following the event in North Korea. In addition, the Infrasound stations IS30 (Isumi, Japan) and IS45 (Ussuriysk, Russian Federation) detected, for the first time, signals which could be attributed to the event in North Korea, thanks to the initiation of the International Data Centre (IDC) routine analysis of infrasound data in its daily products in 2010.
In April 2013, two kinds of radioactive noble gases that could be attributed to the nuclear test announced by North Korea in February were detected at Takasaki Station (JPX38). It made possible to estimate with high probability that the isotope ratio of the Xenon indicated that it was produced some fifty days ago and ATM backtracking calculation using high accuracy meteorological data indicated that the test site in North Korea may be the source of the emission.
This shows once again that the IMS is playing an extremely important and effective role as a global verification system. Japan highly commends the PTS for its efforts to improve its capability to detect nuclear tests despite severe budget constraints.
Mr. Chairman,
Japan welcomes that an agreement was reached between the CTBTO and China, during Dr. Zerbo’s visit to China in August this year, to send real time data from the IMS stations in China to the CTBTO's International Data Centre in Vienna. Japan hopes that real time transmission of data will become the norm.
[Advisory Group (AG) report and recommendations]
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation would like to thank the Chair of the Advisory Group (AG), Sir Michael Weston, for his dedicated work at the Forty-First Session of the Advisory Group. Japan supports the AG recommendations of itsForty-First Session as a whole.
[2014 Draft Programme and Budget (P&B)]
Mr. Chairman,
At this juncture, I would like to reiterate our intention of my delegation to actively participate in constructive discussions on the 2014 Draft Programme and Budget Proposals submitted by the PTS. In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to both Executive Secretary Dr. Zerbo for his active role in formulating the budget proposals and to the PTS for its efforts. Japan welcomes the fact that the Draft Programme and Budget Proposals were based on clear prioritisation and notes that the budget slightly exceeds Zero Real Growth (ZRG).
Japan commends the PTS for its efforts and achievements in approximately four-times increase in the number of IMS facilities while basically adhering to a zero real growth budget in the last decade. Japan also welcomes the fact that approximately 87% of the IMS stations have been installed and that approximately 82% of facilities have been certified. Furthermore, Japan also welcomes the efforts by the PTS to reduce the overall budget level by reducing travel and conference costs, while recognising that fixed costs are increasing due to rising costs related to Post Certification Activities (PCA). On the other hand, it is also a reality that many State Signatories are facing serious financial situations. Therefore, Japan expects that the PTS will make further efforts to maintain and build up the verification system while making savings and reducing expenses through measures aimed at further efficiency.
The Storage Area Network (SAN) included in the 2014 Draft Programme and Budget Proposals is indispensable for the activities of CTBTO, and outdated equipment needs to be replaced. Japan requests that the PTS conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the two options of leasing or purchasing the equipment. Japan has contributed to financing a portion of the overall costs for the SAN upgrade and hopes that the relocating of resources to cover the remaining costs for the SAN upgrade does not have any effect on the installation and certification of the IMS stations.
With regard to the implementation of the IPSAS-compliant ERP system, we welcome the fact that the PTS project team has made progress on the implementation of the project. My delegation expects that more detailed information regarding the maintenance costs of the IPSAS-compliant ERP system will be provided and further discussion will be held.
[Promoting CTBT entry into force]
Mr. Chairman,
Last month, the Eighth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT was convened successfully in New York. We note also that the Group of Eminent Persons (GEM) was established on the initiative of Executive Secretary Dr. Zerbo. Japan welcomes these endeavours as another political momentum aimed towards the early entry into force of the Treaty.
The prohibition of nuclear tests is an emerging de facto international norm. At this conference, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, proposed three actions to be taken to further strengthen this norm and ensure the comprehensive ban on nuclear tests:1) taking united and determined actions as one united international community to condemn nuclear tests if and when they are conducted; 2) moving quickly forward with the construction and certification of the IMS stations to complete the International Monitoring System; and 3) enhancing political actions by each State to promote prompt ratifications by Annex II countries. In this connection, Japan will continue to cooperate closely with the State Signatories and the PTS of the CTBTO.
The "Friends of the CTBT" (namely Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands) and Article XIV Conference Co-Chairs (currently Hungary and Indonesia) plan to hold another CTBT Friends’ Ministerial Meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly in 2014. Japan is determined to make its utmost efforts to further contribute to that process.
Let me conclude my remarks by expressing our hope that the Working Group A session will be convened successfully, and that I look forward to engaging in constructive discussions to make tangible progress on the various issues we are facing.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Practical Export Control Workshop was hosted by the Wassenaar Arrangement as part of its 20th Anniversary programs and held at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna on 27 and 28 June 2016. More than 100 government representatives from 46 countries participated in the technically focused Practical Workshop.
Workshop speakers included the 2016 WA Plenary Chair Ambassador Anu Laamanen (Finland), 2016 WA General Working Group Chair Ambassador Paul Beijer (Sweden), 2015-2016 WA Experts Group Chair Robertas Rosinas (Lithuania), 2016 WA Licensing and Enforcement Officers Meeting Chair Jon Erik Strömö (Norway), as well as the Head of the WA Secretariat, Ambassador Philip Griffiths. The WA control lists as well as export licensing and enforcement topics were covered during the two days.
The following link from WA’s webpage contains more details:
http://www.wassenaar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/June-2016-Workshop-media-release.pdf
Workshop speakers included the 2016 WA Plenary Chair Ambassador Anu Laamanen (Finland), 2016 WA General Working Group Chair Ambassador Paul Beijer (Sweden), 2015-2016 WA Experts Group Chair Robertas Rosinas (Lithuania), 2016 WA Licensing and Enforcement Officers Meeting Chair Jon Erik Strömö (Norway), as well as the Head of the WA Secretariat, Ambassador Philip Griffiths. The WA control lists as well as export licensing and enforcement topics were covered during the two days.
The following link from WA’s webpage contains more details:
http://www.wassenaar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/June-2016-Workshop-media-release.pdf